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ELO Bassist Kelly Groucutt Dies at 63

ELO bassist Kelly Groucutt died of a heart attack Thursday, at the age of 63. According to the BBC, the bassist/vocalist reportedly suffered the heart attack Wednesday night and never regained consciousness. He passed away Thursday afternoon at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Groucutt, along with cellist Melvyn Gale, joined the Jeff Lynne-fronted group in 1975, just in time for Electric Light Orchestra's 'Face the Music' album. With the new additions, the band, who had already had success with the ballad 'Can't Get It Out of My Head,' became one of the '70s biggest-selling rock acts, scoring immediate hit singles off that album with 'Evil Woman' and 'Strange Magic.'

Groucutt left the band in 1983, eventually suing Lynne, management and other members for unpaid royalties (the suit was resolved with an out of court settlement). Despite the suit, Groucutt went on to play in several ELO spinoff projects, including ELO Part II.

A statement on his official website says, "Our hearts and thoughts go out to Anna (his wife) and Kelly's family. He touched all of our lives with his love, kindness and generosity as well as his talent for music and song. He was a true and wonderful friend who loved every second of life and he will be greatly missed by us all."

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Dearly Departed Musicians

    Kelly Groucutt, Feb. 19: He provided the bass end to classic ELO hits such as 'Mr. Blue Sky,' 'Do Ya' and 'Livin' Thing.' Groucutt died after having a heart attack, his management confirmed. He was 63.

    Fin Costello, Getty Images

    Louie Bellson, Feb. 14: The American big band drummer, composer and bandleader was 84.

    Evans / Three Lions / Getty Images

    Estelle Bennett, Feb. 11: With her sister Ronnie, left, and cousin Nedra Talley, right, Bennett sang '60s classics like 'Baby, I Love You' and 'Be My Baby' with the legendary Ronettes. She was found dead in her New Jersey home of undetermined causes. She was 67.

    Hulton Archive / Getty Images

    Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez, Feb. 9: The "heartbeat" of Cuba's legendary Buena Vista Social Club, a group of semi-retired musicians living in Havana made famous thanks to the work of producer Ry Cooder, died of complications from prostate surgery. He was 76.

    Jose Luis Magana, AP

    Molly Bee, Feb. 7: The yodeling country singer shot to fame with the 1952 novelty hit 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus' and later became a familiar face on TV's 'Hometown Jamboree' and 'The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show.' Bee died in California from complications following a stroke at age 69.

    AP

    Lux Interior, Feb. 4: The frontman of the legendary punk band the Cramps passed away due to a pre-existing heart condition.

    Dave Allocca, Getty Images

    Dewey Martin, Jan. 31: The drummer for the short-lived country rock pioneers Buffalo Springfield was found dead in Van Nuys, Calif. The cause of death is unknown. Martin added the backdrop to early hits penned by bandmates Neil Young ('Mr. Soul') and Stephen Stills ('For What It's Worth'). He was 68.

    Getty Images

    Hank Crawford, Jan. 29: The prolific saxophonist, who led Ray Charles' band, played with Jimmy McGriff and had a successful career in his own right, died at his home in Memphis. He was 74.

    Tom Copi, Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

    John Martyn, Jan. 29: The acclaimed British singer-songwriter, who worked alongside the likes of Eric Clapton and Phil Collins and released 20 albums throughout a 40-year career, died at a hospital in Ireland. He was 60.

    Samir Hussein, Getty Images

    Billy Powell, Jan. 27: The longtime Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist, who survived the beloved band's deadly plane crash in 1977, died at his home in Florida of undisclosed causes. He was 56.

    Michael Bush, WireImage

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carol

Having bought every one of the ELO albums growing up was the most important thing for me at that time. Losing one or any of the band's members really saddens me. My only wish to see them in concert one last time will never be filled. My prayers are with the family and friends at this time.

September 07 2010 at 12:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David R

Kelly was one of the best live singers I have seen.I have seen some of the best over the years.I was looking foreward to seeing him again.Sadly it will never happen.His voice will still be in my mind for ever.Hope ELO fans keep playing the music.

May 01 2010 at 5:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ElDorado

How sad about Kelley Groucutt's passing! I graduated from high school in 1978 and ELO and their music meant so much to me. My first concert was ELO. When "Telephone" first came out, my friends and I used to drive around all night in an old station wagon and listen to that song over and over again. In my eyes, Kelley Groucutt was so awesome. May he rest in peace. His music and that of ELO will always have a special place in my heart.

February 15 2010 at 3:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
byrnbbec

hey guys, ELO and Kelly will always be the real deal! I cannot in this world today what i read from people. This is a human being who has just passed away!! Anyway have some class if you can, and what ever your age is and know music listen to ELO you will have to say these guys were better than the beatles why? Musicans thats why!!

February 23 2009 at 2:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
worleyc62

may he rest in peace and to thoes who complane thet there was backing tracks used so what it made for a better show and one of my favorite albums was "Discovery" I have been to concerts that I wished they were lip syncing I won't name names but Kiss live was overdubed

February 22 2009 at 8:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kittycat

I was just listening to their greatest hits a littel while ago while driving. there are so many memories attached to their songs...they were one of the best groups of the 70s, and really in a clas by themselves--great stuff...whoever said they were no good has no good taste or hasn't got a clue becuase they are too young, maybe not even born yet. Their music was part of our teenage years and memories!!!!

February 22 2009 at 7:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mdlukey

I have great memeorys on ELO I grew up in a small town in NW washington. My grandmother was on a flight from NYC...ELO was on the plane they gave her ( mind you this was a old lady in the 70s) A 8 track of there album to give to her grandkids....I loved it I just recently downloades the album on I Tunes..

February 22 2009 at 7:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jbjg24m

ACTUALL WAS JUST GOING THROUG SOME OF MY OLD 45 RPM RECORDS AND FOUND SOME OF THEIR RECORDS AND THEY WERE STILL AS GOOD AS NEW !LISTENED TO THEM JUST YESTERDAY !! ALWAYS LOVED THAT GROUP !!

February 22 2009 at 6:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cathy rohrscheib

hey i liked a few nsync allen parsons dont for get those now my age old enough wink

February 22 2009 at 6:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
STALLION

ELO was OK but Grand Funk rocked MORE

February 22 2009 at 6:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply